Dendrimers as Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Drugs Obtained from Natural Products

Natural products have proven their value as drugs that can be therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. However, most natural products have low solubility and poor bioavailability, which pose significant challenges. To solve these issues, several drug nanocarriers have been developed. Among these methods, dendrimers have emerged as vectors for natural products due to their superior advantages, such as a controlled molecular structure, narrow polydispersity index, and the availability of multiple functional groups. This review summarizes current knowledge on the structures of dendrimer-based nanocarriers for natural compounds, with a particular focus on applications in alkaloids and polyphenols. Additionally, it highlights the challenges and perspectives for future development in clinical therapy.

Automated summary

Natural products have shown their therapeutic value in treating various diseases, but their low solubility and poor bioavailability present challenges. To overcome these issues, drug nanocarriers, particularly dendrimers, have been developed. This review summarizes the structures of dendrimer-based nanocarriers and their applications in alkaloids and polyphenols, while also discussing future challenges and perspectives in clinical therapy.